Developments in molecular epidemiology of aging

Abstract The field of molecular epidemiology of aging involves the application of molecular methods to measure aging processes and their genetic determinants in human cohorts. Over the last decade, the field has undergone rapid progress with a dramatic increase in the number of papers published. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the research field, with a specific focus on new developments, opportunities, and challenges. Aging occurs at multiple hierarchical levels. There is increasing consensus that aging-related changes at the molecular level cause declines in physiological integrity, functional capacity, and ultimately lifespan. Molecular epidemiology studies seek to quantify this process. Telomere length, composite scores integrating clinical biomarkers, and omics clocks are among the most well-studied metrics in molecular epidemiology studies. New developments in the field include bigger data and hypothesis-free analysis together with new modes of collaborations in interdisciplinary teams and open access norms around data sharing. Key challenges facing the field are the lack of a gold standard by which to evaluate molecular measures of aging, inconsistency in which metrics of aging are measured and analyzed across studies, and a need for more longitudinal data necessary to observe change over time.

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Analysis of phenanthrene diol epoxide mercapturic acid detoxification products in human urine: relevance to molecular epidemiology studies of glutathione S -transferase polymorphisms

Carcinogenesis ◽

10.1093/carcin/bgn015 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 937-943 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Stephen S. Hecht ◽

Peter W. Villalta ◽

J.Bradley Hochalter

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Human Urine ◽

Mercapturic Acid ◽

Glutathione S Transferase ◽

Diol Epoxide ◽

Epidemiology Studies

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32P-Post-labelling method improvements for aromatic compound-related molecular epidemiology studies

Mutagenesis ◽

10.1093/mutage/gem030 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 381-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

A. Munnia ◽

F. Saletta ◽

A. Allione ◽

S. Piro ◽

M. Confortini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Aromatic Compound ◽

Epidemiology Studies ◽

Labelling Method

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What We Learn from the CTAD 2018 (Clinical Trials Alzheimer’s Disease)

Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease ◽

10.14283/jpad.2017.38 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1-2

Author(s):

B. Vellas ◽

P. Aisen ◽

M. Weiner ◽

J. Touchon

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Safety Data ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Drug Trials ◽

New Developments ◽

Fda Guidance ◽

Clinical Biomarkers ◽

Early Alzheimer’S Disease

We are happy to publish the CTAD 2018 abstracts in the present JPAD issue. As you can see many new interesting studies are presented in this issue of the journal: from new drug trials to biomarkers, imaging studies, as well as new clinical outcomes. More specifically, we will have several hot topics presentation on: 1. Major drug trials using bace inhibitors (verubecestat, lanabecestat, atabecestat, elenbecestat…) in the early phase of the disease (APECS early trials…). Both clinical, biomarkers (MRI, CSF, PET) and safety data will be presented. 2. New data on blood biomarkers including a keynote from R. Bateman, and presentations from Araclon and Roche biomarkers. 3. Results from phase III and IIB trials including a novel and multi-targeted oligosaccharide in patients with mild-moderate AD in China; the AMBAR (Alzheimer’s Management By Albumin Replacement) study, the TOMMORROW trial: a trial to delay the onset of MCI due to AD and qualify a genetic biomarker algorithm, the 18-month STEADFAST trial of azeliragon in participants with mild Alzheimer’s Disease; a longitudinal 148-week extension 4. Results 18 from F-AV-1451-A16: a clinicopathological study of the correspondence between flortaucipir PET imaging and post-mortem assessment of tau pathology. 5. Latest developments in anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies including aducanumab nonnegligible, and new results and data analyses of the BAN2401 study 201 in early AD. 6. New developments with safety and efficacy of lemborexant for sleep-wake regulation in patients with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease dementia. 7. Advances with the ABBV-8E12, a humanized anti-tau monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s Disease. 8. Endpoints for early Alzheimer’s Disease clinical trials: interpretation and application of the draft FDA guidance. And many others… It is important to underline that a not negligible number of abstracts concern non amyloid targets (eg: Tau-related targets but also targets outside the classical AD cascade).

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Assessment of Genetic Variability Among Subspecies B1 Human Adenoviruses for Molecular Epidemiology Studies

Methods in Molecular Medicine™ - Adenovirus Methods and Protocols ◽

10.1007/978-1-59745-277-9_23 ◽

2007 ◽

pp. 335-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Adriana E. Kajon ◽

Dean D. Erdman

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variability ◽

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Human Adenoviruses ◽

Epidemiology Studies

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Use of short tandem repeat fingerprinting to validate sample origins in hepatitis C virus molecular epidemiology studies

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.057828-0 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 66-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Victoria C. Edwards ◽

C. Patrick McClure ◽

Richard J. P. Brown ◽

Emma Thompson ◽

William L. Irving ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Sequence Analysis ◽

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Alternative Explanation ◽

Sequence Analyses ◽

Distinct Virus ◽

Virus Sequence ◽

Epidemiology Studies ◽

Short Tandem

Sequence analysis is used to define the molecular epidemiology and evolution of the hepatitis C virus. Whilst most studies have shown that individual patients harbour viruses that are derived from a limited number of highly related strains, some recent reports have shown that some patients can be co-infected with very distinct variants whose frequency can fluctuate greatly. Whilst co-infection with highly divergent strains is possible, an alternative explanation is that such data represent contamination or sample mix-up. In this study, we have shown that DNA fingerprinting techniques can accurately assess sample provenance and differentiate between samples that are truly exhibiting mixed infection from those that harbour distinct virus populations due to sample mix-up. We have argued that this approach should be adopted routinely in virus sequence analyses to validate sample provenance.

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Cryopreserving whole blood for functional assays using viable lymphocytes in molecular epidemiology studies

Cancer Letters ◽

10.1016/s0304-3835(01)00400-1 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 166 (2) ◽

pp. 155-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

L Cheng ◽

L.E Wang ◽

M.R Spitz ◽

Q Wei

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Whole Blood ◽

Functional Assays ◽

Epidemiology Studies

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Perceptions of molecular epidemiology studies of HIV among stakeholders

Journal of Public Health Research ◽

10.4081/jphr.2017.992 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Cynthia Schairer ◽

Sanjay R. Mehta ◽

Staal A. Vinterbo ◽

Martin Hoenigl ◽

Michael Kalichman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Research Subjects ◽

Privacy Breaches ◽

Epidemiology Studies ◽

Study Participants ◽

Design And Methods

Background: Advances in viral sequence analysis make it possible to track the spread of infectious pathogens, such as HIV, within a population. When used to study HIV, these analyses (i.e., molecular epidemiology) potentially allow inference of the identity of individual research subjects. Current privacy standards are likely insufficient for this type of public health research. To address this challenge, it will be important to understand how stakeholders feel about the benefits and risks of such research. Design and Methods: To better understand perceived benefits and risks of these research methods, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with HIV-infected individuals, individuals at high-risk for contracting HIV, and professionals in HIV care and prevention. To gather additional perspectives, attendees to a public lecture on molecular epidemiology were asked to complete an informal questionnaire. Results: Among those interviewed and polled, there was near unanimous support for using molecular epidemiology to study HIV. Questionnaires showed strong agreement about benefits of molecular epidemiology, but diverse attitudes regarding risks. Interviewees acknowledged several risks, including privacy breaches and provocation of anti-gay sentiment. The interviews also demonstrated a possibility that misunderstandings about molecular epidemiology may affect how risks and benefits are evaluated. Conclusions: While nearly all study participants agree that the benefits of HIV molecular epidemiology outweigh the risks, concerns about privacy must be addressed to ensure continued trust in research institutions and willingness to participate in research.

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